Your family doctor must check your progress at regular appointments, especially during the first few months of treat with this drug. This will allow your dosage to be changed if necessary to meet your needs.
Do not stop taking this drug without first checking with your family doctor . Your family doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely. This is to prevent side effects and to keep your condition from becoming worse.
Do not take this drug within 2 hours of taking antacids or drug for diarrhea. Taking these products too close together may make this drug less effective.
This drug will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system - CNS depressants - medication that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or drug for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping drug; prescription pain drug or narcotics; barbiturates; drug for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics Check with your family doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this drug .
Before using any prescription or over-the-counter - OTC drug for colds or allergies, check with your family doctor. These medication may increase the risk of developing heatstroke or other unwanted effects, such as dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation, while you are taking a phenothiazine.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the family doctor in charge that you are taking this drug. The results of some tests - such as electrocardiogram "ECG or EKG " readings, the gonadorelin test, the metyrapone test, tests for phenylketonurea and urine bilirubin tests may be effected by this drug.
Before having any kind of surgery, dental treat, or emergency treat, tell the family doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this drug . Taking phenothiazines together with medication that are using during surgery, dental treats, or emergency treats may increase CNS depression or cause low blood pressure.
This drug may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than they are normally. Even if this drug is taken only at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising Make sure you know how you react to this drug before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert .
Phenothiazines may cause blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or other changes in vision, especially during the first few weeks of treat. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your family doctor .
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur , especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your family doctor.
This drug may make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase Use extra care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather while you are taking this drug , since overheating may result in heatstroke. Always hot baths or saunas may make you feel dizzy or faint while you are taking this drug.
This drug also may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures. Dress warmly during cold weather. Be careful during prolonged exposure to cold, such as in winter sports or swimming in cold water.
Phenothiazines may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute . However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your family doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the risk of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease and fungus infections.
Phenothiazines may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this drug:
Phenothiazines may cause your eyes to be more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally . Exposure to sunlight over a period of time - few months to years may cause blurred vision, change in color vision, or difficulty in seeing at night. When you go out during the daylight hours, even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet - UV light. Ordinary sunglasses may not protect your eyes. If you have any questions about the kind of sunglasses to wear, check with your family doctor or eye family doctor.
If you are taking a liquid form of this drug , avoid getting it on your skin or clothing because it may cause a skin rash or other irritation.
If you are receiving this drug by injection: